New Delhi: Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova on Friday topped in the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s fan vote. The organistation announced the results on Friday with the famous American doubles pair of Bryan brothers – Bob and Mike – finished second in the fan’s voting stage while Canada’s Daniel Nestor came third.
According to a report from the Associated Press, The Hall of Fame said that more than 10,000 fans from 120 countries cast ballots. Fan voting is the first stage in the two-step process to select the Hall of Fame. An official group of tennis journalists, historians, and already inducted Hall of Famers from tennis will vote on the ballot in the second round.
Candidates must receive 75% or more than that in the combined results of the official voting group and additional percentage from the fan vote to make it to the Hall of Fame. The report from Associated Press suggested that Sharapova will have an additional three percentage points from winning the fan vote.
The Bryan brothers will have two additional percentage points and Nestor will get one extra percentage point. The American men’d doubles pair won 16 Grand Slam titles and Nestor won eight Grand Slam titles in men’s doubles.
Maria Sharapova shows gratitude towards fans
Maria Sharapova won five Grand Slam titles in women’s singles during her illustrious tennis career which spanned for two decades. She won Wimbledon (2004), US Open (2006), Australian Open (2008), and French Open (2o12 & 2014) apart from becoming the first Russian to reach the World No.1 status in WTA rankings.
“I am incredibly grateful to the fans all around the world who supported me during the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s fan votes,” Sharapova said in a statement.
“It is a tremendous honor to be considered for the Hall of Fame, and having the fans’ support makes it all the more special,” she added.
Sharapova was also part of Russia’s championship Fed Cup team in 2008 and won a silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012.
The hall’s next class will be announced late next month.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
Candidates must receive 75% or more than that in the combined results of the official voting group and additional percentage from the fan vote to make it to the Hall of Fame. Maria Sharapova led the fan voting. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
